05 July, 2011

Decisions Decisions

The versatility of the half square triangle is liberating. It can also be paralyzing when you actually examine the options for laying out a quilt from nothing but HSTs. If you are a person who has a hard time making decisions it is best not to play with layouts. Go with your gut the first time out.

If, however, you are like me and enjoy playing with layouts, then grab a beer or a tea and contemplate away.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Option 5

Option 6

Option 7

Option 8

Option 9

This is just a small sample of blocks, the finished quilt will likely be 16 or 17 blocks across and down.

Now I'm not generally someone who has a tough time with decisions. I learned a long time ago that too much is wasted contemplating "what ifs". That being said, I've got no clue where I want to go with this one. I'm bringing you and Hubby into the fold. You, my readers, because you always point out interesting things I may not see. And Hubby, because this is now going to be a wedding present for friends and if he wants his name on the label then he has to help.

I get my Hubby to make decisions all the time for quilts that his name is going on...like the one I made HIS MOTHER! He kept asking why was I asking him things and I said this way you can say you "helped".

when I don't have a particular project in mind I sew HST's. I love them! Now if you add some plain squares, either the same size as your HST sets or twice the size your options open up a hundred fold!! I cannot help you decide as I have a shoe box full of HST's that need their own decions... except I would avoid option 5 simply because it is easier to do that combo in flying geese and save a seam...

I am really liking #3 and #6! Great color choices in the fabric. I like playing with layouts as well, but I usually do it in Illustrator. :) This must be the 300+ HSTs you had to trim? I did this recently myself. Skyping with friends helped the time go faster. Such a grueling job!!

I like the ones that are the least static and orderly (of course) - 2 and 9. 3 is quite nice too. Really, they are all good. You might consider if the couple is more of the adventurous or orderly type and see if that helps you choose.

You know what I see when I look at no.3? A beginning school of fish. Too cute. I also love 6 with the bigger zags.And I always ask my husband's opinion - even when decorating, he seems to have a good eye for colours.

Oh gosh- 5 or 6- loving the zigzags. I'm afraid I don't like 2 or 9 at all- which appear to be the winners with others. Hunh. Interesting to see what people gravitate towards isn't it? The zig zags are just pleasing to me.... I guess I like order (which- looking at my own quilts, I wouldn't think that- but that's another comment I think...)

I'm a regular reader to your blog and since I am such a beginner compared to you (who lives at the other end of the world), I've never dared to comment so far. But this post made me nod and laugh in sympathy and understanding, because it made me think of my own recent decision problems with HSTs. I posted some options in my little blog as well, got some opinions - and in the end I came up with something completely different...I don't think I have reached the end of the line in HSTs yet - so I'm very much looking forward to future posts on this quilt! :-)